Helicopter crew on course to aid golfers

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance crew are on standby to rescue players who fall seriously ill or are injured in remote parts of courses.

And they are expecting a busy summer as the majority of golfers are aged over 55 and at an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke.

National figures show golf clubs are among the most common destinations for the life-saving helicopters. Unlike road vehicles, they can avoid uneven terrain, sand bunkers and lakes and easily spot a victim from the air.

Yorkshire's air ambulance service was launched last October and has already received more than 400 calls.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service said they had only received one call out to a golf course so far, but that the helicopter was ideally suited.

She said: "The speed of access is important. On golf courses, there is always somewhere to land and it's so much quicker to reach the patient. Even with a four-by-four vehicle, it can be tricky to get to someone depending on the layout of a course."

Trevor Eagle, manager of Bradford Golf Club said it was a comfort to know that the chopper was now on call.

He said: "The average age of golfers nationally is about 57 years old. It's always a worry if somebody became ill in a remote part of the golf course, although we do have access and green-keeping vehicles."

Chief Executive of the National Association of Air Ambulance Services, Nigel Webb, said: "Air ambulances are often called upon because the patient's chances of survival can be significantly increased if treatment is received as quickly as possible."

Air ambulance teams often had all the local golf courses marked out on their maps with grid references so they could reach the scene in double-quick time, he added.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance has been funded by NAAAS for 18 months, after which it will rely on the public to help to raise the yearly £1 million cost. To make a donation, call the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity on 0845 120 6060.